Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently faced backlash for distributing cheques worth ₹300 to ₹900 during the launch of the Sanskrit Scholarship Scheme. Social media users criticized the UP government for using students as a publicity stunt.
The event took place at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and quickly went viral. Scholarships were awarded to students from Sanskrit schools, colleges, and universities across Uttar Pradesh.
Importance of Sanskrit
During his speech, Adityanath welcomed professors, students, and principals. He thanked everyone for launching the scholarship scheme just before Diwali. He stated, “This launch is very important for the language and the culture of the country.”
Gurukul-Style Schools Planned
Adityanath announced plans to revive Gurukul-style Sanskrit schools in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the spiritual connection to Sanskrit, saying, “When one establishes a connection with God in devotion, they can comprehend the energy of Sanskrit.”
He expressed his surprise at Sanskrit’s previous obscurity. However, he noted, “In 2017, the language got the respect it deserved, and now we have all noticed the rise in the number of students learning the language.”
Growth of Sanskrit Learning
The chief minister reported that about 1.5 lakh students in Uttar Pradesh are studying Sanskrit. He attributed this revival to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He remarked, “Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has become more devoted to Sanskrit and the culture of the country. Sanskrit isn’t just a language; we want it to reach a higher level of communication around the world.”
Temple Visit
Earlier in the day, Adityanath visited the Kal Bhairav and Kashi Vishwanath temples in Varanasi to offer prayers.